Fair Hill 50-Miler

When I heard about the 50-mile endurance option at this past weekend’s MASS race, I didn’t hesitate to sign up. There are few things I’d rather do on a Sunday than ride my bike. All day long.

I even convinced Justin to join in some local race scene fun—no panniers necessary!

When race day rolled around, I rolled up to the start line with 17 seconds to spare—and four or so hours of shut-eye behind me. (Any sleep at all is thanks to Justin. He spent the night on the floor next to the 150-pound Newfoundland we were watching who was terrified of thunder!)

Our somewhat stormy start to the 2009 Fair Hill Classic turned into a sun-shining, warm-breeze-rustling enjoyable ride. The endurance racers pedaled through the woods by way of two large loops equal to 50 miles. The course was reminiscent of White Clay Creek—fast, windy singletrack—with a bit more roots and climbing.

2009 Fair Hill Classic MTB Expert Course at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: Share GPS Tracks

It was my first MASS race of the season and my second race for the EWR team. I took 4th in the Enduro Women category (averaging 8.6 mph on lap 1 and 7.6 mph on lap 2).


Justin took 12th in the Enduro Men category (10.7 mph on lap 1 and 9.9 mph on lap 2) and a friend we dragged down from State College for the weekend—who recently celebrated a birthday milestone—kicked our butts and took 7th in the Enduro Men category (11.4 mph on lap 1 and 10.2 mph on lap 2).

Maybe I should start turning laps to techno…

Turnin’ Laps @ Lodi

They say third time’s the charm. This weekend marked my third year riding at 12 hours of Lodi Farm, and the first time I finished well. It could’ve been because I joined a team, inspiring me to make a good first impression.

Or, it could’ve been because we raced from noon to midnight, instead of the typical midnight to noon setup. Truthfully, I think it was the first year I was conscious of the course—an incestuous 10-mile tight, rolling, rooty single track loop, with a seemingly bottomless stream crossing to boot!



I could even chalk it up to the forecast. With the looming possibility of rain, I tried to turn as many laps as I could before the monsoon hit. And it hit—ten minutes into my 5th lap. I rolled across the finish line around 8:00 sopping wet, head to toe in mud.


With four hours left in the race, trail conditions deteriorating and rain holding steady, I called it quits, dried off and ate some dinner. I guess all the other ladies had the same idea. I took 2nd place in the women’s solo category and completed the same amount of laps as the woman in 1st place. (Yes, I knew how close the race was—but being dry and full is highly underrated.) After an early morning awards ceremony, as in 1:30 a.m., it was finally time to sleep.

In between working the Princeton Tec booth, Justin and Ryan raced men’s duo and took turns riding with me each lap. Their conversation and steady pace was a welcome distraction to my throbbing wrists and sore seat bones! It turns out that fifty miles of mountain biking on a fun course with great company is a perfect way to spend the weekend.


Gatorade, oatmeal cream pies and a little Luda’ kept us alive on the drive back to PA in the rolling Red Roof Inn.

Back on a Bike

As a writer for a national healthcare magazine, I interview a lot of people—prominent doctors, professional sports coaches and athletes, former Olympic competitors—and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve lost my cool.

Interviewing professional mountain bike racer Tara Llanes for a story on her rehabilitation following a bike crash that left her paralyzed from the waist down was one of those times. A champion and a charmer; a knockout who could knock 'em out. My cool didn't even put up a fight before it up and left--and I hadn't spoken a single word to the woman yet.

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Quick-witted, fascinating and full of life, Tara answered my questions about her road to recovery with brutal honesty and a bit of humor. “I would forgo the whole walking thing as long as I could ride my bike again,” she told me, half-joking.

That’s why I was thrilled to see her on a bike again last week. It might not have been her bike—but it was a bike. And she looked like a champion riding it.